Improvement in spring-clasps



G. STRI-GKRODT.

Spring-Clasp.

Patented Oct. 14, 1879.

Jay:

N PEFEHS. P HER. WASMNGTON D O v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OH ABLE S STRIOKRODT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPRING-CLASPS.

, Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 220,680, dated October 14, 1879; application filed March 1, 1879.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES STRICKRODT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top view and bottom view of my improved spring-clasp, shown as attached to an elastic band Fig. 2, respectively, a side view and a vertical longitudinal section; and Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section of the same on line 00 a, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention has reference to an improved spring-clasp for shirt sleeves and stockingsupporters and similar articles; and it consists of two sheet-metal sections or shells, which are pivoted about midway of their ,length by small ears or projections of one section passingthroligh openings or slots of the other section, and being then bent down over the outside of the latter. The jaws of the shells are both of conveXo-eoncave shape, and provided with raised teats.

The rear ends of the pivoted sections are acted upon by an interior spring, whose action is increased by a wedgeshaped slide-piece, which is applied by one or more prongs and binding side flanges to the elastic band of the supporter or other article.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent, respectively, the sections or shells of my improved spring-clasp, which shells are stamped up of suitable sheet metal, preferably in the shape of the head of a duck with enlarged spoon-shaped bill. These sections are pivoted to each other about midway of their length, and their rear ends acted upon by an interior U-shaped spring, B, so that their enlarged front ends or jaws are tightly pressed together.

The pivot-connection of the shells A A is obtained by providing the lower shells with short projecting ears or catches a, one at each side, which are bent outwardly at right angles to the body of the 'shell,passed througheorresponding slots or apertnres a of the upper shell, and then turned down, so as to lap over the upper shell and retain the same thus securely on the lower one, while still permitting the free pivotal motion of both sections.

The ears of the lower shell are stamped out of one piece with the shell, and then the lower section conveniently joined up to the upper section by inserting the ears into the slots, and then binding them down, forming thus a reliable yet cheap pivot-connection of the sections.

The enlarged jaws or front ends, 0, of the clasp are both of conveXo-coneave shape, so that the lower jaw fits closely into the upper jaw, and that both clamp tightly the fabric placed between the same. The jaws may be provided with or without corresponding teats or indentations b, as desired, the teats increasing, however, the hold of the jaws on the fabric. The jaws bear by a large surface on the fabric to be clasped, and retain the same in reliable manner without tearing the fabric,

as isthe case with the spring-clasps with pointed or serratedv jaws at present in general use.

The action. of the interior spring, B, is increased by a slide-piece, D, whose front end is bent into hook or wedge shape, as shown in Fig. 2, and inserted between the legs of the spring B. After the jaws are applied to the fabric, by pressing first the rear ends of the pivoted sections together, and then allowing the jaws to clasp the fabric, the strain of the fabric on the slide-piece causes a slight forward motion of the sections on the wedge-shaped end of the slide-piece, and thereby a more powerful action of the Ushaped spring B.

The greater the strain exerted on the clasp the greater will be the clamping action exerted by the spring and wedge on the jaws and fabric. This auxiliary clamping action forms an essential feature of my clasp, and increases the efficacy of the same to aconsiderable extent.

The rear end of the slide-piece D is attached to the elastic band E of the sleeve or stocking supporter, or other article, by means of one or more prongs, cl, stamped up therefrom, and by side flanges, d, which are folded down over the edges of the fabric. The prong or prongs dare bent down on the band in a direction opposite to the strain exerted thereon by the band E, so as to form, together with the binding side flanges, a strong and reliable connection between slide-piece and band in quicker and cheaper manner than by the present mode of sewing on the band to the slotted rear end of the upper section, and furnishes for all purposes an equally reliable attachment.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a spring-clasp, the combination of one section or shell, having receivin g-slots, wit h the other section or shell, having ears that are passed through the slots, forming a hinged connection of the two sections, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the pivoted clasp sections or shells A A with an interior U-shaped spring, B, interposed between their rear ends, and with a slide-piece,1),inserted by its wedgeshaped end into the spring, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the pivoted and springpressed clasp sections or shells A A with an auxiliary slide-piece that is connected to the sections and adapted to increase the clamping action of the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In spring-clasps, an auxiliary slide-piece connected by its front end to the clasp-sections, and by its rear end to the elastic band or other fabric, substantially as described.

5. 1n spring-clasps, an auxiliary slide-piece connected to the clasp-section, and attached by a prong or prongs and binding side flanges to the elasticband or other fabric, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two witnesses this27th day of February,

CHARLES STRICKRODT. Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, CARL KARI. 

